“The day I decided that she needed a friend, I came home one night, reeking of gin and cheap perfume, and found her in the drawing room. Every candle was burning and she was just… sitting there. Staring at the wall. I asked what was wrong and she looked at me like I was a stranger and said, ‘I am just tired, Alex.’ That was all. But those words sounded like a goodbye.”
Theodora’s fingers curled slightly against his chest.
“Is that when you asked me to help?”
He cleared his throat. “Yes.”
“We were worried about her at theCorset Chroniclesbecause she left after that meeting.” Theodora’s eyes glistened.
“She had an amazing time with you all, so do not blame yourself or your friends. I just thought the country would help her even more,” he said quietly. “God knows that we both needed some fresh air.”
“I do hope she will return,” Theodora said softly.
“As do I, but I gave her a choice this time. She can either stay or come back to London with me.” He exhaled loudly. “I pray for the latter.”
Theodora smiled at him.
“What is it?” he asked her.
“You care for her a lot.”
“Of course, I do. She is all I’ve got.”
Silence settled between them.
“You are a good brother, Alex.”
“I hope that I am. I told myself I was protecting her. But in London…” He closed his eyes for a second. “She barely spoke. I felt like a terrible brother. And maybe I am.”
Theodora shifted, propping herself on one elbow so she could see his face more clearly.
“I do not know what happened to your parents,” she said softly. “I am guessing that you both lost them, but you do not have to explain. To be young and suddenly responsible for an entire household and a sister who is falling apart, takes a lot of strength. And you did not leave her; you tried your best while holding your own. That is who the Scarlet Duke really is. A man who fights for those he loves.”
Alexander looked at her then, truly looked at her, and he was lost for words. No one had ever said such things to him before, andit made him feel seen in a world where he hid in dark places and fought wrongly.
“You did what you thought was best at the time. That is all any human can do,” Theodora continued.
“You are defending me?” he asked, half disbelieving. “After everything. After what I did to you tonight?”
Her lips curve, just the smallest amount. “I am not defending your choices. I am saying that you are human. And humans are allowed to be… catastrophically imperfect.”
He stared at her for a long moment, throat tight.
“No one ever looked at the mess I am and simply said… you tried,” he admitted quietly.
Theodora leaned forward and pressed the softest kiss to the corner of his mouth.
“You did try,” she whispered against his lips. “In your own broken way. And trying counts for something, even when the results hurt.”
He closed his eyes, letting her words sink in like balm over old wounds. Then he opened them again and pulled her closer, tucking her head back under his chin.
“Thank you,” he said. The words felt clumsy and inadequate, but they were all he had. “For listening.”
She nestled against him, one leg sliding between his, and her hand resting over his heart again.
“Do not get used to it,” she murmured.
Alexander laughed as her scent filled his lungs.
